Alright, let’s talk about them bass fish and when they do their business, you know, making more little bass. I ain’t no fancy scientist or nothin’, but I’ve seen a thing or two about fishin’ in my days. It all boils down to the water getting warm, real simple like.
Water Getting Warm is Key
Now, these bass, they ain’t gonna start their lovey-dovey stuff if the water’s too cold. Think of it like this, you wouldn’t wanna jump in a freezing lake, would ya? Neither do them fish. They like it just right, not too cold, not too hot. I heard tell it’s gotta be somewhere ‘tween 55 and 80 degrees, that’s what them smart folks say. But from what I seen, it’s more like when it hits around 60 degrees, that’s when things really start happening.
- Too cold, they just lazy.
- Too hot, same thing, they get all sluggish.
- Just right, around 70 to 85, they’re happy as can be, swimmin’ around all lively.
The Big Show: Spawning Time
Once that water gets to be a steady 60 degrees or so, and that first full moon pops up, that’s when the magic starts. Them boy bass, they get to workin’. They start lookin’ for good spots to build a nest, you know, a little love nest for their lady friend. They like it kinda shallow, maybe two to ten feet deep, dependin’ on how clear the water is. If it’s murky, they might go shallower, if it’s clear, they might go a bit deeper.
They ain’t picky, them bass. Any ol’ spot will do, long as it’s kinda sheltered. I’ve seen ’em build nests near logs, tree branches, even them clam shells. Anything that gives ‘em a little protection. And them nests ain’t nothin’ fancy, just a little cleared-out spot on the bottom, you know, swept clean like a good housewife sweeps her porch.
Stages of Spawning
Now, I ain’t gonna get all technical on ya, but there’s different stages to this whole spawnin’ thing. First, there’s the pre-spawn. That’s when them bass are gettin’ ready, eatin’ up a storm, gettin’ fat and sassy. They’re movin’ into them shallow areas, lookin’ for a good place to settle down.
Then comes the actual spawn. That’s when they’re doin’ their thing, makin’ the babies. The males are guardin’ the nests, chasin’ away anythin’ that gets too close, even your lure sometimes! They’re real protective, them daddies.
And finally, there’s the post-spawn. After they’re done, they’re tired and hungry. They move off to deeper water, lookin’ for some grub. But them babies, they stick around the shallows for a while, hidin’ in the weeds, tryin’ not to get eaten by bigger fish.
Using Water Temperature to Catch Bass
Now, why does all this matter to us fishin’ folks? Well, if you know what the water temperature is, you got a better chance of catchin’ them bass. Different temperatures mean different behavior, see?
If the water’s cold, them bass are gonna be deep and slow. You gotta fish slow and deep too. If the water’s warm, they’re gonna be more active, movin’ around, lookin’ for food. You can use faster lures, cover more water. It’s common sense, really.
There’s even charts and stuff that tell you what lures to use at different temperatures. I never used them much myself, I just go by feel. But some folks swear by ‘em. They say in the fall and winter, you gotta use different lures than in the spring and summer. Makes sense, I guess.
Florida Bass
Down in Florida, them bass are a little different. They start spawnin’ earlier, when the water gets to be 65 to 70 degrees. And they like it real shallow, just one or two feet deep. Probably ‘cause the water’s warmer down there. I ain’t never fished down there myself, but that’s what I heard.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it, the lowdown on bass spawnin’ and water temperature. It ain’t rocket science, just common sense. Watch the weather, keep an eye on the water temperature, and you’ll be catchin’ them bass in no time. And remember, be patient, sometimes them fish just ain’t bitin’, no matter what the temperature is.
Tags: bass fishing, spawning, water temperature, bass behavior, pre-spawn, post-spawn, lure selection, florida bass, fishing tips
